| Regimental number | 1899 |
| Place of birth | Melbourne, Victoria |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Sash maker |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 21 |
| Height | 5' 6" |
| Weight | 130 lbs |
| Next of kin | Father, Herbert Joseph Catchpole, 59 Clarke Street, South Melbourne, Victoria |
| Previous military service | Served for 3 years in the Senior Cadets; 3 years in the 52nd Infantry, Citizen Military Forces. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Melbourne, Victoria |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 21st Battalion, 3rd Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/38/2 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A68 Anchises on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 60th Battalion |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Place of burial | Rue-Du-Bois Military Cemetery (Plot II, Row A, Grave No. 1), Fleurbaix, France |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 169 |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front Taken on strength, 21st Bn, Gallipoli, 12 October 1915. Disembarked Alexandria, 27 December 1915 (general Gallipoli evacuation). Admitted to 1st Australian General Hospital, Heliopolis, 3 January 1916 (tonsilitis); transferred to Helouan Convalescent Depot, 14 January 1916 (otitis media); discharged to Overseas Base, Ghezireh, 18 January 1916. Transferred to and taken on strength, 60th Bn, Duntroon Plateau, 20 April 1916. Admitted to 1st New Zealand Stationary Hospital, Moascar, 2 June 1916, and discharged and rejoined Bn same day (no further details recorded). Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 18 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 29 June 1916. Killed in action, 19 July 1916. Statement, Red Cross File No 710302, 2357 Pte R.J. ALFORD, B Company, 60th Bn (patient, No 22 General Hospital, Etaples), 2 December 1916: 'I have seen his grave at Rifle Villa Road, near Fleurbaix, with a cross and inscription on it.' Second statement, SA, 2 March 1917: 'Date of death 20.7.16. Buried in Grave No. 14. Row A.1. Fleurbaix Military Cemetery. by Pioneer Sgt. C.F. McBain. Chaplain: Capt. F.P. Williams. Ascertained from Burial Records supplied by Sgt. McBain and personally inspected by me.' Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, CATCHPOLE Ernest Edward
Red Cross File No 710302 |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
